Tree band



Jan. 10, 1939.

' TREE BAND Filed Jan. 25, 1935 Poison bs COHTING wnrsRlaooF comma J7 ibe/Qatar: Monroe L. wexbe fl M. L. WEXLER 2,143,043

atented E TREE Monroe-L Wcxler, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Sears, Roebuck and 60., a corporation of New York Application January 25, 1935, Serial No. 3,484

This invention relates generally to tree bands for use in destroying small vermin which infest fruitand shade trees, and has particular reference to bands of the type designed to detain g and destroy the vermin in the. presence of a poison.

Tree bands of this character vary in construction according to the particular type of vermin which they are intended to combat. A common type of band, particularly designed for the de struction of the codling moth worm, consists of a fist base strip of paper having a corrugated strip adhesively secured to one face of the base strip so as to form parallel grooves transversely of the band.

A poisonous solution, such as beta naphtol, is applied to the material and in use, portions of suitable length are cut on" and applied to the trunk or limb of the trm, with the corrugated face adjacent the bark of the tree, so that the parallel grooves provide dark chambers or recesses to which the worms are attracted for the purpose of spinning their cocoons. The destruc tion of the worms, oi course, occurs by reason of their contact with the poisonous surfaces of the elongated chambers or recesses formed in the band,

The poisonous material, such as beta naphtol, is relatively expensive and the cost of this material therefore, constitutes a substantial part of the cost of the band. The primary object of my invention is to reduce the cost of the bands by confining the poisonous material to that portion of the band which is efiective in combating the vermin.

A further object is to increase the durability of the band and especially bands made from paper and the like, by waterproofing the exposed surfaces which are not utilized for the reception of the poisonous material.

In carrying out my invention, I'provide for the protection of one surface of the strip material from which bands are to be cut, during the application of the poisonous solution, thereby con= fining the solution to the unprotected surfaces. The protection of one face of the material during the application of the poisonous coating may be accomplished in various ways. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, as hereinafter more particularly set forth, I apply the solution to two strips of material while held in face to face relation so that each strip serves to conceal or protect one side or face of the other strip. In this way, the poisonous coating may be substanm tially confined to the effective areas of the band,

, thereby avoiding a waste of the expensive poisonous coating, the poison-treated surface being disposed relative to the tree as determined by the type of vermin to be combated.

The absence of a 6L sting of poisonous material from one face of the band is also advantageous in that this face is left free for the application of a waterproofing material such as asphaltum, thereby increasing the durability of the bands.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein I have 10 shown an illustrative embodiment of my invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coil of band material composed of two strips rolled together in face to iace relation, with the outer end portion of the material separated to show the two strips.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary edge view of the double strip materiel.

Fig. 3 is a side edge view of a roll of the material with the free end secured in position.

Fig. i is a side elcvational view showing the 13 nor of applying a strip of the material to a tree trunk in fc fol: the band.

Fig. Sis a fragmentary perspective view illustrotting the application of my invention to strips in fabric form.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly 1 to 4 thereof, I have shown a band materisl of the corrugated paper type, although other suitable material may be employed if desired. As shown, the material comprises two strips i and 2 rolled together in spiral formation, with opposed faces tightly held in mutual protecting relation. Each of said strips comprises, 86 as shown, a base or backing portion 8 in the form of an elongated paper tape, and a face portion 4 in the form of an elongated corrugated ribbon cemented or otherwise secured to one face of the base portion or tape 3. The corrugated ribbon 40 coasts with the adjacent face of the tape 3 to form transverse parallel chambers or recesses 5 in a well known manner.

The strips i and 2 are made of substantial length, and the double strip material is wound tightly upon itself in spiral formation as shown in Fig. 1. The outer end of the double strip material is fastened as by means of a strip of adhesive tape 6. There is thus formed a coil 'l to which a poisonous solution, such as beta naphtol, is applied as by dipping the coil in a quantity of the solution, or by pouring the solution edgewise over the wound material. By reason of the fact that the inner flat faces of the tapes 3 are held in close contact, this side of each strip is efiectu- 5s ally protected during the application of the solution. 0n the other hand, the opposite side of the strip, including the corrugated ribbon l with the chambers or recesses 5 formed thereby, has the poisonous coating confined thereto. After the application of the poisonous solution, any excess of the solution may be removed by subjecting the coil to a blast of compressed air in a well known manner. Finally, when the coating has become dry, the material is ready for use, the two strips being separated, as shown in Fig. 1, and cut into appropriate lengths for application to the trunk or limb of a tree.

To increase the durability of the tree bands, the inner faces of the strips I and 2 are preferably subjected to a waterproofing treatment be fore the two strips are rolled together. For example, such faces may first be painted or otherwise coated with a thin layer of asphaitum. Such waterproofing of the base portion of the band is especially advantageous in view of the fact that it is desirable that the bands be applied to the trees in the summer or fall of the year and permitted to remain thereon during the winter months.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown the manner of applying a section of a strip to the trunk of a tree in forming a band intended to combat the codling moth worm. The band may,

of course, be secured in any suitable way, the ends being herein shown as adapted for connection by a strip III of adhesive tape.

It will be apparent that my invention is applicable to band material differing in construction from that shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, the band material may take the form of two flat ribbons l8. and ll of loosely woven fabric adapted to beimpregnated with the poisonous solution. The contacting faces of the two strips are in this instance, also coated with a waterproofing material so that when the poisonous solution is applied to the band material, the waterproofed surfaces will be protected against the'application of the solution.

As will be evident, I have provided a material for making tree bands which is susceptible of manufacture at a. cost substantially lower than has heretofore been possible, and which is at the same time more durable in character. While I have shown a simple. method of obtaining this result, it should be understood that my invention is not limited to the application of the poisonous solution to the band material in coil formation, but consists in its broader aspects in the application of the poisonous solution only to such surfaces as may be effective in use. Obviously, other methods of effectually confining the coating to the effective areas of the band may be employed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tree band of the character set forth comprising a base strip in the form of a fiat narrow paper tape and a corrugated paper ribbon applied to one face of the tape, said corrugated ribbon having a coating of poisonous material applied to both sides, and said base strip having a coating of said poisonous material applied only to the side adjacent said ribbon.

2. A tree band of the character set forth comprising a base strip in the form of a fiat narrow paper tape and a corrugated paper ribbon applied to one face of the tape, said corrugated ribbon having a coating of poisonous mamrial applied to both sides thereof, and said base strip having a coating of said poisonous material applied to the side adjacent said ribbon and a coating of waterproofing material applied to the opposite side.

MONROE L 

